Case studies

Network Rail East Midlands
Control Centre, Derby, UK

"Our objectives for the EMCC were to provide modern, environmentally friendly facilities which would be cost effective and would utilise modern, sustainable construction methods. The Kingspan AFS system helped us achieve these aims."

Dyan Crowther, Route Director, Network Rail.

Kingspan Off-Site's Architectural Façade System (AFS) has been used to construct the Network Rail East Midlands Control Centre (EMCC) in Derby. Based on a derelict, brownfield site and incorporating renewable technologies, the centre will control the signalling and operations for the entire East Midlands rail network comprising over 350 miles of track.

The non-load bearing Kingspan Architectural Façade System (AFS) through-wall panels were precision engineered to meet the specific architectural requirements of the three storey EMCC building, one of which was to create a structure with the ability to withstand a blast force. As such, 200mm enhanced stud centres and steel plate linings were specified for the Kingspan AFS panels instead of the standard 600mm centres. The Kingspan AFS panels were delivered to site ready for installation by approved installers WHL.

The Kingspan AFS through-wall system has been specified for the construction of 18 similar Network Rail control centres which are planned for strategic sites throughout the country, as part of a £250 million investment program. A second, two storey control centre in Glasgow has also been completed using the AFS through-wall system.

Back to case study